Bench remembers beloved family man

PERKINS TWP. — The newest amenity added at a popular park not only helps memorialize a well-respected community man but also pays homage to this popular gathering space named after him and his family. On Friday, friends, family members and Perkins Township officials gathered at Strickfaden Park — 318 Bell Ave., Sandusky — to remember the late Tom Strickfaden. Tom's friends coordinated with his family members to place a seated tribute there for him. Meanwhile, his three longtime friends — Dick Brady, Jim Fischer and George Sortino — bought the bench and worked on its design. Those three remain the only living individuals from a group of about 30, including Tom Strickfaden, who began playing poker together roughly 50 years ago. "Tom Strickfaden really was somebody who made everyone feel like somebody," said Brady, who's also Sandusky's ex officio mayor. A plaque reads the following: "Tom Strickfaden: You were somebody who made everyone feel like somebody — Your poker friends." Brad Link, the township's public works director, helped make the bench dedication possible. "Perkins Township was happy to honor Tom Strickfaden with a memorial bench at Strickfaden Park," Link said. "The family means a lot to the community, and we try to honor them by keeping the park in proper condition, especially during the holiday season." In memory Tom is survived by his wife of 37 years, Pamela (nee Nahrup) Strickfaden; five children; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters; and many nieces and nephews. Ann Groff, who is Tom's sister, shared the following history to provide context regarding last week's bench dedication: The land, which is now Strickfaden Park, was originally purchased by my grandfather, Joseph C. Strickfaden, in the early 1940s. Having owned a general store and one of the area's few gas stations at that time on South Columbus Avenue and Taylor Road, he and his family were displaced by the government at the onset of World War II to facilitate an ammunition factory. That area ultimately became what is now NASA. In 1943, he and his son, who also is my father, Joseph L. Strickfaden, acquired the property on Bell Avenue and began planting trees, shrubs and evergreens, which was the beginning of Strickfaden Nursery. Operated by my father, the nursery expanded to include a garden center, landscaping service and craft center. Christmas was always the heart of the business. Strickfaden's was a family tradition for the community to enjoy the display of trees, lights, decorations and the wonder of the mechanical talking Santa Claus and the Lionel train. My brother, Tom Strickfaden, after graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in horticulture, came home to take the family business to its final destination as Strickfaden's year-round Christmas shop. Capitalizing on the tourist industry developing in this area, Tom grew the Christmas component of the business, eventually forming Santa's Choice, his own line of imported Christmas ornaments, nutcrackers and smokers. As a Sandusky businessman, Tom was active in the community and made many lifelong friends. He loved his involvement with the Jaycees, chaired one of the first March of Dimes Walks in the area, was an avid golfer and thoroughly enjoyed his poker group. Many of the friends he made along the way remained close his whole life. Tom passed away Sept. 19, 2024, at age 77 in Mason, Ohio. The three surviving players of his poker group from the 1970s and 1980s decided they wanted to honor Tom in a special way here where his roots remain: Dick Brady, Jim Fischer and George Sortino designed a plaque and asked Brad Link if they could dedicate a bench at Strickfaden Park in Tom's memory. Tom's family, a few close friends and representatives of Perkins Township gathered at the park on Friday, Aug. 1 for a short ceremony and the unveiling of the bench. The location of the bench is on the site where Tom played as a child and worked as a man. The Strickfaden family is so very grateful to the trustees and administration of Perkins Township — and, especially, to Brad Link and his crew — for their care and dedication in making the park such a beautiful space for all the residents of Perkins Township to enjoy. We are so proud to have our name honored in this way.